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Related Concept Videos

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

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Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the...
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Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

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In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
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What are Viruses?00:50

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Overview
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CRISPR and crRNAs02:53

CRISPR and crRNAs

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Bacteria and archaea are susceptible to viral infections just like eukaryotes; therefore, they have developed a unique adaptive immune system to protect themselves. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) are present in more than 45% of known bacteria and 90% of known archaea.
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2025

Bacteriophage Effectiveness for Biocontrol of Foodborne Pathogens Evaluated via High-Throughput Settings
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[Basic knowledge of phages and their therapeutic application].

Christine Rohde1

  • 1Abteilung Bioressourcen für Bioökonomie und Gesundheitsforschung, Leibniz-Institut DSMZ - Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Inhoffenstr. 7B, 38124, Braunschweig, Deutschland. christine.rohde@dsmz.de.

Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz
|May 2, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that kill bacteria and are explored as alternatives to antibiotics. Research covers phage biology, therapeutic mechanisms, and their role in the microbiome, aiming for standardized quality in phage therapy.

Keywords:
CoevolutionLytic cyclePhage resistancePhageomeTemperate phages

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Virology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Biotechnology

Context:

  • Phages (bacteriophages) are ubiquitous viruses crucial to microbial ecosystems.
  • They are investigated as potential alternatives or supplements to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections.
  • Phage therapy is gaining traction, but regulatory and standardization challenges remain.

Purpose:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of phage biology, from classical knowledge to current research.
  • To elucidate phage mechanisms, including host interaction, lysis, and visualization methods.
  • To discuss the role of phages in the human microbiome and their therapeutic potential.

Summary:

  • This article reviews fundamental phage biology, including mechanisms of action, host interactions, and visualization techniques.
  • It covers temperate phages, newly discovered CrAss and Lak megaphages, and discusses phage defense, resistance, and synergistic effects with antibiotics.
  • The potential of phages as therapeutic agents, their role in immune defense, and the need for harmonized standards in phage preparations are highlighted.

Impact:

  • Phages offer a promising avenue for combating bacterial infections, potentially enhancing antibiotic efficacy.
  • Understanding phage biology is essential for developing effective phage-based therapies.
  • Standardized quality control is critical for the successful clinical application and regulatory approval of phage preparations.